Monday, March 29, 2010

I am so very thankful that Carter's two week appointment went well. Apparently, there are no longer any signs of jaundice. When he was retested at 4 days old, his bilirubin levels were a bit more elevated than the initial test in the hospital. Today, he shows no signsof jaundice. Thank you, Lord! Carter is growing quite well. He weighed 8lbs 13 oz (1 pound and 1 ounce more than his birth weight). What a blessing it is to know that he is healthy and strong!

I am so very thankful for the love Colin and Carson have for their baby brother. Already, they are inseparable. When its time for school, bed, or whatever, they do not want to leave Carter's side. Carson has not slept in his own bed but once or twice since Carter has been home. This morning, both big brothers were on the couch with me and Carter. They are all about their little brother. I pray that their devotion to one another continues, that no matter how old they get and what troubles they encounter, that these boys remember they are family and that is what is important.

I am so very thankful for the wonderful man I am married to. He takes such good care of me and our boys. I am amazed at how God has worked in his life since surrendering his life to Jesus 6 years ago. Yesterday at church, he talked to the congregation about prayer. You see, when Carson was born four years ago, we saw him for only a short moment due to his lungs. He was quickly taken to NICU. Jeffrey made his way to the chapel at the Medical Center and prayed for his newborn son. His (our) prayers were answered. Carson was healed. We have learned that he remains delicate in times of illness. With a snotty nose or first sign of cough or cold, we have to take precautions to keep him in good health whether it is keeping him in from the weather or out of smokey environments. He can't tolerate allergens and illness like many kids. When Carter was born two weeks ago, Jeffrey made his way to the chapel at the hospital once again. This time, it was to give thanks and praise for a healthy newborn son. Isn't that the only proper thing to do (which was precisely his point to the church)? We are quick to pray in times of want, whether through the death of a loved one, illness, job loss, marital stress, parenting issues, or financial trouble. We should also be quick to pray in times of plenty, whether it is a job promotion, good health, or anything worth celebrating. God is with us in those times, just like he is with us in times of want. Some people only call out to our Lord when they are hurting. Sure He wants us to do that, but our Father also wants us to call out to Him in times of celebration, to give Him praise for what He has done.

Have you praised Him lately? If not, why not start now? Why not leave a comment here to let us know what God has blessed you with?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Lately.....I am enjoying my time home with my precious Carter. It seems like only yesterday Colin was a newborn. I can't believe he will be 8 years old this summer and Carson will be 4 in a matter of weeks. I got tickled at the bank yesterday. One of the workers, who also lives behind us, asked when the baby was coming. I said, "He came on the 12th!" I still can't believe he is here and he's ours. What a blessing! I am thankful everyday that God has chosen me to be the mom of these wonderful children. Carson has stayed home with me for a few days. We've tried to get him back into the swing of things, but his stomach has been yucky. I'm missing Colin while he is at school. I do like being able to pick him up after school now.

Lately....I am feeling well. Carter is sleeping pretty good at night. He is eating every 3 - 4 hours. So the rest is good! I am not a night person. I like to be in bed around nine and sleep until morning. I am so grateful that Carter is not up all hours of the night. I did NOT have a C-section. Not sure where that started, but we are doing great!

Lately....The boys have started baseball. Colin is being coached by "Coach Jeff" again this year. It will be his second year of Pee Wee and from what Coach Jeff says, Colin is doing quite well. Carson has "started" T-ball. Started is in quotes because the first practice was last week. However, Carson didn't make it. We thought he broke his little toe. OUCH! He was playing at the kitchen table and when he got out of the chair, it fell on his foot. Totally scared us. Jeffrey took him to see Dr. Chris Friday, who then sent him for x-rays. Toe is fine, just bruised. Hopefully, he will be able to go to practice this week. I am getting excited about seeing them play soon.

Lately,I have been fed well by some Christian women. After coming home from the hospital, Jeffrey's mom had us a pot of potato soup and his aunt Mary had us some of her famous ham and cheese sandwhiches. We worked on those a few days. Then Millie from church brought us some KFC- YUMMY - and a cake she had made. Tonight, I had a visit from Mrs. June from church. She brought some ham, green beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes, and brownies. We are so appreciative of the food. It has made my life so much easier!

Lately,I am saddened by some news. Our church lost a dear friend this morning. Joe Smith passed away after battling cancer. He and his wife Jackie have been so good to us. Since the first day we attended Calvary, they have shown us nothing but love. Joe and Jackie both loved us and our children. When the traveling Wall came to Franklin a few years ago, I was blessed to have Joe and some other veterans visit my class. The last time I saw Joe, probably two months ago, he hugged me and thanked me for that day. We love Joe and will miss him very much. He has been such a blessing to our family and church.

Lately,I have watched a couple of good movies. There are certain parts of those movies that have stuck out to me. There is a movie called Taking Chance (if you haven't watched it, do!) It is a true story of a marine (played by Kevin Bacon) who escorts fallen soldier Chance Phelps home. During the movie, a veteran told Kevin Bacon's character that he was Chance's witness. He should share his story. It got me to thinking about our witness to Jesus. In the movie, as he looked back on this journey, Kevin Bacon's character said that he felt like as long as the body was moving, that Chance was still alive. You know, we are what reminds everyone that Jesus is still alive. We are to be His witness each day by telling others about Him and allowing them to see Him in us. Unfortunately, many of us don't do all we can do to be a witness to Jesus Christ. Personally, I know that I can do more and that is something I strive to do. There is another movie that I watched the other night. It was called Henry Poole is Here. Luke Wilson's character has found out that he is dying and nothing can be done. He has lost faith and moved into a house to die alone. His neighbor discovers a miracle and it draws him closer to others and to finding his faith once again. One of the lines that really struck me was said by Patience, the cashier at the grocery store. She told him that she "chose to believe" and that's the miracle. When we are at the crossroads of becoming Christians, we make a choice. Do we choose to believe or not? When we choose to believe in the miracle of Jesus, our lives are forever changed. Like Patience, I can proudly say that, "I have chosen to believe." Six years ago, God touched my heart. He showed me His love and I chose to believe in what His son, Jesus Christ did for me. Have you chosen to believe?

Lately,We are waiting to find out where Jeffrey will be doing his monthly drills. He received a message last Wednesday that he was supposed to be in South Carolina last weekend for drill. However, since it was so far for him and such late notice, he was dismissed from drill for March. He was told that they would try to find somewhere closer to home for the next drill. I am thankful that he does not have to go the first week of April like we thought. Now, Jeffrey can be home for Carson's 4th birthday.

Lately,I am trying to find a Super Mario Bros. cake pan for Carson's birthday. He is wanting a Mario party, so I am working on it.

So, for now, I will continue to enjoy my time at home with my family, being a stay at home mom for now.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010

I told Colin the other day that our lives are forever changed. I take a look back and think about the times my life took another path.

When Jeffrey and I got married, our lives were forever changed.

When Colin was born, our lives were forever changed. I remember thinking how life before him had never existed.

When I gave my life to Jesus in 2004, our lives were forever changed. This change would impact everything to come.

When Carson was born, our lives were forever changed. That was Colin's baby. He was so proud of him. I'll never forget the excitement on Colin's face the day we brought Carson home from the hospital. He bolted through the front door to meet us at the car.

When Jeffrey was accepted into the US Army Reserves, our lives were forever changed. We knew God was at work and His purpose would be fulfilled.

When Carter was born, our lives were forever changed. It is amazing once again how the big brothers in the house have taken to the baby. They are eager and willing to be there for him already. As time passes, it will seem as if this is the way it has always been.

These moments are what create life. We can't expect things to stay the same. We shouldn't desire things to stay the same.